INDIVIDUALS WITH UNINSURED ICE STORM DAMAGE URGED TO CALL

State's Damage Assessment Line to Close Monday

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) needs to hear from all who sustained uninsured or under-insured damage in the Jan. 12th ice storm. Individuals and business owners are urged to call the Oklahoma Ice Storm Damage Assessment Line (877) 628-5297 before it closes Monday at 7 p.m.

Already more than 2,400 calls have been received on the toll free line which opened a week ago. Calls are taken from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The damage reports are needed to strengthen the state's application for federal disaster assistance for individuals and business owners.

Many of the callers report roof, window and fence damage caused by downed trees. Still other callers report electric meters pulled from homes by downed power lines and damage to electric systems and appliances. Fire damage to some homes has also been reported.

Additionally, individuals are reporting medical conditions complicated by the ice storm. The reports show extended power outages contributed to depleted wheelchair batteries and insulin supplies and damaged oxygen concentrators needed for asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Those calling to report damages are asked to provide their name, address of the damaged property and the type damage their property sustained. They are also asked if they sustained financial loss because their business or place of employment was closed due to the ice storm.

On Thursday, Pres. George W. Bush granted a major disaster declaration to assist Delaware, McIntosh, Muskogee and Pittsburg counties with infrastructure damage and clean up related to the ice storm. The declaration failed to deliver assistance to individuals and business owners impacted by the storm.